What is Lupus?

With almost two decades of experience in the banking industry, Vince Liuzzi currently serves as the executive vice president and chief banking officer of DNB First. A community leader, Vincent has been named Man of the Year by Shelter for the Homeless, and has placed on the San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s 40 under 40 list. Vince Liuzzi was also a member of the Lupus Foundation of America’s board of directors.

Established in 1977, the Lupus Foundation of America is the largest organization dedicated to fighting the autoimmune disease, with more than 300 chapters across the country. Because its symptoms often resemble those of other diseases, and can range from fatigue and fever to chest pain and dry eyes, lupus can be difficult to diagnose. Lupus is characterized by the body’s immune system attacking part of itself. Commonly afflicted areas include the brain, heart, skin, joints, and blood cells, among others. No two cases of lupus are the same, as symptoms can come and go for years, and its most distinctive symptom — a facial rash that looks like open butterfly wings — is not always present.

Although there is no cure for lupus, there are treatment options, depending on symptoms. Most involve a series of medications to treat the range of symptoms as they occur or preventively.

Best Father’s Day BBQ recipe EVER – seriously you have to try this!

If you are celebrating in your community this Father’s Day weekend surrounded by family and friends around the barbecue, you’ve got to try this awesome BBQ recipe.  Its quick and easy, and very tasty.  Thanks to our friends at Epicurious and the Bon Appetit test kitchen, this one is a real winner!

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Grilled Portobello Parmesan
by The Bon Appétit Test Kitchen
Bon Appétit | August 2009
Yield: 6 servings
Active Time: Prep: 35 min
Total Time: Total: 40 min

Why stick with chicken or eggplant? Portobello Parmesan is just as tasty—and it doesn’t need any breading. Choose mushrooms that are fresh (you’ll know because they’ll still be curled up around the edges). Older ones are flat and won’t hold the filling as well.

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 large garlic clove, pressed
  • 6 large portobello mushrooms, stemmed, gills scraped out
  • 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup plus 6 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, divided
  • 6 1/3-inch-thick heirloom tomato slices (from 2 very large tomatoes)
  • 7 to 8 ounces Fontina cheese, thinly sliced

Preparation
Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Whisk extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and pressed garlic clove in small bowl. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Arrange portobello mushrooms on rimmed baking sheet, gill side up. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spoon generous tablespoon dressing into each mushroom; swirl to coat. Stir ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil in small bowl to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Arrange tomato slices on plate; sprinkle with salt and pepper.

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Place mushrooms on grill, gill side down. Grill until edges begin to soften, 3 to 5 minutes, depending on thickness of mushrooms. Transfer mushrooms to same baking sheet, gill side up. Nestle 1 tomato slice into each mushroom. Divide ricotta cheese mixture atop sliced tomatoes, spreading to cover, about 3 tablespoons per mushroom. Top with Fontina cheese slices, dividing equally. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese over each. Carefully return mushrooms to grill. Cover barbecue and cook until mushrooms are soft and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle remaining chopped fresh basil over. Place mushrooms on plates. Drizzle remaining dressing around mushrooms and serve.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY DAD!

Nutrition Information
Per serving: Calories (kcal) 375.4, % Calories from Fat 69.6, Fat (g) 29.1, Saturated Fat (g) 12.7, Cholesterol (mg) 70.0, Carbohydrates (g) 6.1, Dietary Fiber (g) 0.6, Total Sugars (g) 4.2, Protein (g) 21.9
Nutritional analysis provided by Bon Appétit

Vince Liuzzi

Marian Anderson Award Honors a Legacy of Cultural Change through Art

Having served for 16 years in several executive positions at Wells Fargo, Vince Liuzzi currently serves as an executive vice president and chief banking officer at DNB First, a community bank based in Chester County, Pennsylvania. When not supervising the development of commercial and retail banking sales at DNB First, Vince Liuzzi enjoys listening to classic rock, such as The Beatles, as well as the music released by several prominent artists on the Motown Records label. As a member of the board of directors for the Marian Anderson Award, Vincent Liuzzi helped select Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, to be the 2013 recipient of the Fifteenth Annual Marian Anderson Award.

The Marian Anderson Award is named after the classically trained African-American contralto vocalist and opera artist born in Philadelphia in 1897. Marian Anderson is considered one of the artists crucial to the triumph over the prejudices barring African-Americans from the highest levels of recognition in classical music. Her groundbreaking achievements include a now famous 1939 performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to a crowd of 75,000 spectators, and in 1954 she became the first African-American member of the elite Metropolitan Opera Company in New York. Furthermore, she was honored with the NAACP’s Spingam Award in 1939 and the Presidential Medal of Honor in 1963.

Established in 1998, the Marian Anderson Award is intended to recognize present-day artists who have had a similarly profound and positive influence on society. In selecting honorees, the award’s board of directors considers both artists’ cultural contributions within their field and any efforts they have made in support of causes for the betterment of humanity. Past recipients include Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, and Norman Lear.

The Lupus Foundation of America Supports Student Research

An experienced banking professional, Vince Liuzzi currently serves as an executive vice president and the chief banking officer at DNB First in Philadelphia. Outside of his professional pursuits, Vince Liuzzi supports the work of a number of charities and nonprofits, including the Lupus Foundation of America, an organization that seeks to improve the lives of individuals with lupus through research, education, and advocacy programs and activities.

As part of its ongoing efforts to advance the scientific understanding of lupus, the Lupus Foundation of America operates the Gina M. Finzi Memorial Student Summer Fellowship Program for individuals interested in pursuing careers in biomedical research. The program provides financial support to several students each year and connects them with established principal investigators, who assist them in conducting research projects on lupus.

Established in 1984, the Finzi Memorial Student Summer Fellowship Program has provided grants to nearly 200 promising young students over the last 30 years and has helped inspire a new generation of researchers. A number of program participants have published their work in peer-reviewed journals, and several have gone on to earn advanced degrees and become medical practitioners or academic researchers.

Salvation Army’s Soup’s On! Program in Philadelphia

After spending 16 years as a branch manager, district manager, and regional president for Wells Fargo Bank, Vince Liuzzi joined DNB First in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, where he provides strategic advice on both retail and commercial banking matters. Vincent Liuzzi is also active in his local community, serving on the board of directors for the Salvation Army. In 2012, he earned the organization’s Doing the Most Good Community Leadership Award.

The Salvation Army offers a number of services in the Philadelphia community, including vocational training in the culinary arts industry. The Soup’s On! Program teaches unemployed and underemployed participants the skills they need to pursue a career in the culinary arts; in addition to cooking, topics include business management, marketing, and distribution.

Combining classroom instruction with hands-on training, Soup’s On! provides the skills required to earn a ServeSafe certificate from the National Restaurant Association. To date, the program has enabled more than 420 graduates to pursue jobs and generate ongoing income for the Salvation Army.

Best Graduation Gift? Financial Indpendence

Michael F. Kay,
Michael F. Kay – Forbes Contributor

Maybe you’ve got a job waiting for you or perhaps an internship opportunity; or you might, like many, be left with the daunting task of finding a way to fully support yourself—to finally secure your independence.

Being independent means different things to different people, kind of like defining what “rich” is. It could mean you cover 100% of all your costs, or maybe it’s 50% because your parents are helping out for a time. Ramping up for independence requires some planning, preparation and a—rational—budget.

English: Graduation After graduation, make a budget so that you’re on steady footing in the real world. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Consider five basic elements to create the right budget:

1. Available income

2. Debt

3. Cost of Living

4. Cash Reserves

5. Thinking of the future

Available income means the amount you deposit into your checking account.  It is not your salary before taxes, medical insurance and other deductions are withheld. Available income might include subsidies from relatives or gifts you know for certain you will receive. Side note: if you are receiving any income as a contractor, you are responsible for paying your own taxes, which means it’s time to consult a CPA.

Debt—aka credit cards, car loans and student loans—needs to get satisfied. The higher the interest rate, the quicker you should be paying off the balance. Student loans can be tied to your income for repayment purposes, so make sure you investigate fully before you decide what makes the most sense. Ask questions!

Cost of living covers your rent, food, transportation, dry cleaning, insurance, clothing and utilities costs. These are the basic necessities: what does it cost you to survive? You can impact this number substantially if you choose to share costs with roommates or head home to bunk with mom and dad until your economic situation improves.

Cash reserves mean an emergency fund. The general rule is to keep six to nine months of living expenses in the bank in case you lose your job or have another emergency. FYI—a great sale at Bloomies probably doesn’t constitute an emergency. Yes, grabbing that cash for something fun is tempting, but trust me, unexpected situations do happen. In fact, a safer bet is to bank a year’s worth of cash reserves, since sometimes finding a new job can take awhile. Being prepared gives you options should the worst happen.

Thinking of the future lets you decide when—and where—to make trade-offs. Let’s say you are eligible to participate in your company’s 401(k) plan. Since retirement feels a million years from now, it’s pretty easy to say “no thanks!” Instead, think ahead. Even a small amount of money deferred every month can pay back big time over many years. And, you can afford to take more risk than someone closer to retirement. When the market goes down, you’ve benefitted by your ability to purchase at a lower price. And of course you win on the upswings. It’s a good deal.

Another example of future thinking is how you manage your surplus income—the amount beyond your cost of living. You can expand your discretionary spending (vacations, entertainment, etc.), or you can accumulate—for a down payment on a home, for a wedding or other major expenditure. Choose wisely.

Building your life—and your wealth—is a process that is rarely a straight line from graduation (where would be the fun in that?) But I promise you that a thoughtful approach to your money is a much better gift to yourself than a Spring-break mentality.

Enjoy the journey from diploma to your definition of “the corner office,” and know that financial independence awaits you.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia Teach Reading Skills

A former Wells Fargo Bank district manager and regional president, Vincent Liuzzi currently serves as the executive vice president and chief banking officer of DNB First, a community bank in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. In addition to his professional duties, Vince Liuzzi supports a number of charitable organizations, among them the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia are committed to creating programs to enhance the lives of local youth. In 2013, the organization created a literacy initiative aimed at teaching children reading skills to help them succeed academically. The program utilizes a multisensory approach that encourages students to use all of their senses as they learn to recognize letters and words. In its first summer, the initiative devoted more than 1,200 hours of literacy instruction to 420 students; in the fall, local schools will integrate similar instruction into their after-school programs. Over time, the citywide literacy initiative hopes to reach more than 1,500 students annually.

Marian Anderson Awards Support Young Artists

Vince Liuzzi spent 16 years as a branch manager, district manager, and regional president for Wells Fargo in regions throughout the United States. Now serving as EVP and Chief Bankong Officer for DNB First in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Vince Liuzzi is an active supporter of nearby Philadelphia-area charities. In addition to his work with the Salvation Army and other philanthropic organizations, he has served on the board of directors for the Marian Anderson Awards.

Named for the Philadelphia singer, the Marian Anderson Awards honor critically acclaimed artists who have positively affected society in some way. Since 1998, the award has been granted to such well-known artists and actors as Gregory Peck, Quincy Jones, Elizabeth Taylor, Sidney Poitier, Maya Angelou, and Oprah Winfrey.

The organization’s annual award gala raises funds to sponsor scholarships like the Young Artist Study Grant. This program is designed to provide assistance to high school-age artists who require financial aid to pursue their artistic visions.

Popular Attractions and Sites in the Bahamas

Vince Liuzzi, EVP and chief banking officer at DNB First, enjoys a wide range of activities in his free time including traveling. Vince Liuzzi has traveled throughout the United States, Mexico, Italy, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

Made up of around 700 islands, 40 of which are occupied by humans, the Bahamas have several great beaches that draw tourists. Cabbage Beach, two miles long, is one of the archipelago’s best. Boasting clear and calm waters, the beach is great for snorkeling and swimming, and it is lined with hotels, restaurants, and casinos. The Bahamas are also known for Xanadu Beach, Lucaya Beach, and Gold Rock Beach.

Located on Paradise Island, Atlantis, a luxury hotel, aquarium, water park, and entertainment complex, is another popular attraction. Hotel guests receive free admittance to Aquaventure, a huge waterscape consisting of several water slides, over 20 pools, and a long Lazy River Ride. The site also is home to many restaurants and shops, all of which continue the fantasy sea theme.

Grand Bahama, the closest island to the United States, is home to Freeport, the second largest city on the islands, and the Port Lucaya Marketplace, which sells jewelry and other souvenirs. Offering a wide variety of hotels and resorts, the island also has three national parks and one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world.

DNB First celebrates Earth Day – Make a GREEN statement

Business Celebrates EARTH Day!

Tomorrow marks the 44th celebration of Earth Day – First celebrated in the United Sates in1970, Earth Day (April 22nd) marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

There are many ways this celebration is observed in our country and region – Take a look at what DNB First is doing to promote GREEN banking in our branch offices: Wanted to make sure you were aware of our new “Make a GREEN Statement” campaign. The campaign will run April 22 through mid-May, and it’s aimed at showcasing our “earth friendly” products and services like Mobile Deposit, Remote Deposit Capture (RDC), eStatements, On-Line Banking, Bill Pay, and more…

We will be leveraging various community sponsored events throughout the month like the Document Shredding and Electronics recycling event tomorrow in Thorndale, and the West Chester University Earth Fair coming up later this month. Our campaign officially launches on April 22 – EARTH DAY when we will be providing to customers in our branches some quick energy saving tips along with an energy efficient light bulb. Customers who enroll in eStatements during the campaign will be entered into a drawing for an iPad to encourage GREEN banking.

The United States Small Business Administration is going green too! Look at what they are doing to help businesses grow green.
Helping Small Businesses Grow Through Green Efforts

by Stephen Morris, Community Moderator

• Created: April 18, 2014, 12:31 pm
• Updated: April 18, 2014, 2:45 pm
Note: this post is by Donna J. Butler, SBA’s Senior Sustainability Officer & Deputy Chief Operating Officer

SBA helps small businesses find solutions to make their operations run efficiently. That’s why this Earth Day and every day SBA encourages small businesses to incorporate a green office environment. Whether it’s changing to a more energy efficient lighting system, implementing a recycling program, or considering eco-friendly machinery—all of these techniques help to conserve energy and save money. SBA also helps entrepreneurs and organizations build on green ideas and turn them into a successful business.

Taking an Idea and Turning it Green
Small business owner Carina Whitham of California took her passion for renewable energy and used SBA’s counseling services to help start an executive search firm Whitham Group Executive Search. Today, Carina’s firm successfully recruits and places executives in the arenas of Solar, Wind, Biofuels, Biomass, Geothermal Energy and all other areas of renewables.

SBA also supports sustainability through initiatives such as the Regional Clusters Initiative—which combines a network of organizations and businesses in a geographic area that grow through increased collaboration, efficiency and innovation. SBA funded its initial clusters in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and several other agencies. Regional clusters such as Illinois Smart Grid, Clean Energy, and GreenMe are expanding thanks to the support from this initiative. Today, they are making their communities more sustainable and eco-conscious.

And for small business owners seeking to upgrade an existing facility with energy efficient upgrades or financing innovative eco-friendly tools–SBA.gov has a reference list ofgreen financing and green certification options.

SBA Green Practices
SBA is also reinforcing green practices throughout its office culture. The Agency’s priority goal for Fiscal Year 2014 was to increase paperless loan processing. SBA succeeded with this goal and saw an increase in the use of paperless processing with both the 7(a) and 504 loan programs. The 7(a) program use increased from 72 percent to 90 percent and the 504 program use increased from 55 percent to 75 percent. Additionally, SBA is collaborating with the General Services Administration to ensure that SBA’s Headquarters and Field Offices are housed in facilities that are energy and water efficient and are maintained with non-toxic and recycled content products. SBA has also reduced its greenhouse gas emissions from employee commuting by nearly 15% since 2010 in part through the increased use of mass transit and telework. This year, SBA initiated an agency-wide toner and ink cartridge recycling program in partnership with the U.S. Postal Services.

Go Green and Thrive
Celebrate Earth Day today and everyday by adopting new environmentally sound practices for your business. SBA is here to help you grow your business and succeed in your green efforts. Visit our website or connect with our local offices and resource partners for your small business needs.
About the Author
Stephen Morris is online media coordinator for the U.S. Small Business Administration where he manages digital outreach to the small business community.